Goosebumps

Jack Black is author RL Stine, writer of the Goosebumps horror books for kids, in this spooky family adventure that celebrates the series. Stars Dylan Minnette (Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day) as the new kid next door who teams up with Stine's niece after the writer's imaginary beasts are let loose in their small town.

Reviews & comments

R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps books never stuck to a single type of horror, with stories like The Werewolf of Fever Swamp dishing up traditional scares while The Cuckoo Clock of Doom introduced many kids (e.g. me) to their first existential crisis. A single movie could never capture every mood of every book, and thankfully the studio didn’t attempt a Goosebumps Cinematic Universe. Instead, we get this self-aware mix of humour and family-friendly horror that celebrates the series rather than exploits it.

This feature length adaptation of Goosebumps had the potential to be something special.
Unfortunately, it is a run of the mill action/adventure children's film. Being a massive fan of the books and the TV series, I was hoping for a new installment to the spooky franchise. However, instead of targeting the audience that grew up with the series,it has...

Goosebumps is a fun and enjoyable family movie. Entertaining monster action sequences. The CGI is pretty bad, and there's a lazy excuse for why the monsters in R.L Stine's books are coming to life. But nevertheless, good movie. Grade: B-

3.0

Variety

press

Disposable product intended to appeal to everyone but likely to resonate with no one.

R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps books never stuck to a single type of horror, with stories like The Werewolf of Fever Swamp dishing up traditional scares while The Cuckoo Clock of Doom introduced many kids (e.g. me) to their first existential crisis. A single movie could never capture every mood of every book, and thankfully the studio didn’t attempt a Goosebumps Cinematic Universe. Instead, we get this self-aware mix of humour and family-friendly horror that celebrates the series rather than exploits it.

4.0

Variety

press

Disposable product intended to appeal to everyone but likely to resonate with no one.

This feature length adaptation of Goosebumps had the potential to be something special.
Unfortunately, it is a run of the mill action/adventure children's film. Being a massive fan of the books and the TV series, I was hoping for a new installment to the spooky franchise. However, instead of targeting the audience that grew up with the series,it has...

Goosebumps is a fun and enjoyable family movie. Entertaining monster action sequences. The CGI is pretty bad, and there's a lazy excuse for why the monsters in R.L Stine's books are coming to life. But nevertheless, good movie. Grade: B-